Thursday, August 09, 2007

"I must go down to the sea again..."

We do not use alarm clocks here on the Island. We just wake up at the bird's call (or the hum of the air conditioner.)

Today I woke early and declared my intentions to watch the sunrise on the beach. Philip (not an early riser) decided to join me. It was still dark so we put on the hall light just to manage the steep steps and stumble out to the morning.

As we arrived at the beach the crescent moon become silhouetted against the hazy dark gray of early dawn. It looked so like a child's cradle.

We walked over the dune and the sight was so stunning we just stood for a few moments. The beach was perfectly empty of humans in all directions. We were already barefoot so we went down to the water's edge to walk and watch the magic of dawn. As light appeared the water become light gray and we were able to distinguish tracks of all types in the sand. Ghost crabs. Sandpipers. Seagulls. Turtles. They have all been busy last night while we were sleeping.

The sun did not appear on the horizon, but hid under the hot steam of the coming day. We walked back and climbed up to the lifeguard post to watch the day. We talk about science and shadows and waves and colors when all of a sudden the sun appeared part way up in the sky. It was small and bright red and looked as if it were a small rubber ball suspended on a string.

We sat in silence as we watched folks begin making their pathway down to the beach as well. A fisherman cast out two lines in hopes of his dinner...a young couple put down a blanket to watch the day and an older woman just walked....

We stopped for breakfast at the Pony Island Inn and visited with local folks before coming home to start our day.

It could not have been more wonderful for my last full day on the island before leaving for Indiana. Sigh.

Sea Fever

by John Masfield

I must go down to the sea again

To the lonely sea and sky

And all I ask is a tall ship

And a start to guide her by.

And the whale's kick and the wind's song

And the white sails shaking

And a gray mist on the sea's fare,

And a gray dawn breaking.

Lou Ann

Lou Ann Homan-Saylor lives in Angola, Indiana which is nestled in the hills of Northern Indiana and spends her summers on the wind swept island of Ocracoke. You can find her gardening or writing late into the night under the light of her frayed scarlet lamp. She is a storyteller, a teacher, a writer, an actress and a collector of front porch stories.

2 comments:

Hi Lou Ann,Well we hung-up our "lumber" that you sold us a couple of weeks ago. Although I did convince my wife to hang it with the Hatteras lighthouse showing, and not to move the hook to the other side as you suggested.lol Seriously though, we thoroughly enjoyed our week on Ocracoke & can't wait until our two weeks next summer.

What's happening in my hometown this week?

There continues to be music on the square and just about everywhere else this weekend. Friday night John Getz is playing at Chapman's Brewery and the Goat Beards are at Six Autumns. Saturday afternoon is the kick off for the Ecological 200 year old party at Wing Haven. This is a hands on event for everywhere! Again there is music at Briali's on Sunday. Wherever you are get out and enjoy this weekend!!

And how can you get in contact with me??

This is my hometown, Angola, Indiana. I am there a lot, but I am gone a lot too. You can reach me at 260-312-7225 or my email address: locketoftime@aol.com. This summer I am telling stories in libraries and festivals, teaching drama camps, and hosting my Ariizona family! I am taking the month of August off to get ready for the school year and do some traveling of my own!! If you are looking to book in the fall, the dates arer filling up quickly so let's talk soon.

And the teaching continues....

A few years ago Dr. Timothy Hopp called me out of the blue. he asked if I would be interested in teaching a few classes at Trine. I really wasn't sure as I had just left public school and had other ideas that I was thinking about doing, but I decided to give it a try. I can't imagine my life without it now! This spring at the faculty breakfast before graduation, I was honored with the Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award for 2017. I was absolutely giddy. I love the job, and it is so nice the faculty in my department appreciates my quirky ways. And, yes, I will be back!!

Signs of Summer...

My garden is really beautiful this summer. I have lots of flowers. The herbs are full and blooming as well as the vegetable garden. My raspberries are just gorgeous with plenty to eat and plenty to put away for the winter!

Storytelling with Lou Ann

Anniei's Attic is a wonderful week-long opportunity for students and teachers.

And, yes, I can call square dances!

I also am now in a small (very small band) Schmaltz and Blarney. We are available for hire. What makes us different is that we bring along song books! Give us a call!

Lou Ann and Goldilocks

Ocassionally Goldilocks makes it to the stage with Lou Ann. They really do look alike!

Lou Ann Homan portraying Gene Stratton-Porter

This is just one of my first person character shows!

A nice little bio...

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, a teacher, a storyteller and a lover of small towns. Her enthusiasm for teaching has graced Indiana classrooms for over 30 years and has been twice awarded the prestigious Lilly Teacher Creativity Award. She is currently a professor at Trine University in the Humanities and Communication Department.

Lou Ann is an award-winning columnist for KPC Media Group whose weekly column has appeared every Saturday morning for ten years in newspapers in all four counties in northern Indiana. In 2014 Lou Ann received the Mayor’s Arts and Humanities Award.

Lou Ann’s storytelling skills have twice brought her the Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship grant, and two commissioned pieces from Indiana Landmarks. She has told stories on many Fringe Festival stages throughout the Midwest and has carried her from the green hills of Ireland to China, and from Florida to Arizona. She has been on the roster of Arts for Learning for many years and was awarded the Anna Award in 2015 for her outstanding plan for program enhancement.

When not traveling Lou Ann can be found in her hometown of Angola, Indiana where she is a member of the Historic Preservation Commission. She writes late into the night under a red frayed lamplight, gardens at the community gardens, celebrates and promotes cultural events, tell stories on the square and bikes her way around her small town!

She is delighted to bring you stories!

If you like I can send my blog to you every day on your email!

Lou Ann Homan

Click on the Photo to View a Sample of My Storytelling

Storyteller's Journal

Dear Folks,

Welcome to my world of storytelling, writing, and as you can see, dreamer of dreams. My storytelling has taken me to all sorts of locations around the country and in a few other countries. I have shows suitable for all ages and interests.

I do programs for teachers, for poets, for students, and for all who love the sound of language and words. I also am a Fringe Festival artist!

I also am a faculty member of Trine University where I teach writing and speech. I am a columnist for our local paper, The Herald Republican. My columns appear on Saturday and have been featured for nine years!

I am a traveler, a hobo, a drifter, a gatherer of tales, and a one-woman show. Thanks for taking the time to take a look. I would love to talk with you, share emails and blogs or even share a cup of tea in my lovely old house. Above all, I would love to share stories with you.

Lou Ann

Storytelling in Schools

Murder Mystery Weekends

Research Projects for your town

Scary Stories for the Autumn

Summer reading programs

Anne Bonny and other women pirates

Winter Woolies

Keynoting for schools

Workshops for students and teachers

Square Dance calling

Writing workshops

Poetry and Haiku workshops

Writing and directing of shows (especially murder mystery shows for middle school, have several to choose from. This is a weeklong residency.)

About Me

I am a storyteller, a theater coach, an actress, and a writer. When I am not traveling and gathering stories, you can find me writing late into the evening under the light of my old scarlet, frayed lamp. I am a believer in small towns in America and the blog is written to bring focus to them and to save them!
I also garden and am deeply aware of the environment and the issues. Please visit my blog often to share with me short stories that just happen, recipes, gardening, environmental preservation, books, photography and family, of course!